Gene Alt

Eugene “Gene” Ray Alt, 83, of Audubon, Iowa, passed away on May 21, 2026 at home, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and genuine friendship. Gene was born on July 19, 1942, to Raymond and Pearl (Elsberry) Alt in Audubon County, where he grew up alongside his siblings, Marjorie and David.

A proud graduate of Audubon High School, Class of 1961, Gene married Mary Lou Hagedorn on July 3, 1965. Together, they welcomed two sons, Scott and Tony, and raised the boys on the farm.

Over the years, Gene worked in many roles—each one reflecting his strong work ethic and love of machinery and the land. He farmed, drove trucks, hauled heavy equipment across the United States, and especially enjoyed hauling local grain for area farmers. A lifelong mechanic, Gene could fix anything placed in front of him, and he took pride in helping neighbors.

Gene was an active member of the Audubon County Cattlemen, Audubon County Pork Producers, and Future Farmers of America. His hobbies were many and reflected his love of the outdoors and community: camping, serving as a 4-H leader, cattle, reading, tinkering in the shop, scenic drives, tractor rides, and participating in the town parade. A true conservationist, he cared deeply for the land and the people who worked it.

He cherished simple joys—coffee with the crew, good conversation, and the chance to “shoot the breeze” with friends old and new. Gene never met a stranger, and his easy smile, gentle humor, and willingness to lend a hand made him a friend to many.

On August 14, 1993, Gene married Sally Pingel, and together they formed a devoted partnership. Gene and Sally built a marriage grounded in deep love, steady commitment, and true partnership. They faced every joy and every challenge as a team, always putting each other first. Their bond was a testament to loyalty, compassion, and the quiet strength of two people who chose to walk through life side by side. Gene embraced caregiving for Shawnda with unwavering love and commitment, a testament to his generous heart.

Gene will be remembered for his kindness, his quick wit, his warm smile, and his ability to make anyone feel welcome. He was a neighbor you could count on, a storyteller you wanted to sit beside, and a man whose presence made life a little lighter.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Alt; children Scott (Mindy) Alt, Tony Alt, Kami (Devin) Houser, Jayson (Michaela) Pingel, and Shawnda Pingel; grandchildren Garret (Lauren) Alt, Aiden Alt, Cooper Alt, Kinsey Alt, Evan Alt, Jared Pingel, Jakob Houser, Hayley (Tyson) Pingel, Katie (Walker) Wilson, Jackson Pingel, and Allison Houser; and great grandchildren Keaton and Whit Alt, Blakely and Grayson Wilson.

He is also survived by his siblings, Marjorie Rudolph and David Alt; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary (Doug) Piper, Susan (Stephen) Terhune, Jane (Dennis) Meyer, and Joe Wetherell; along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Pearl Alt; parents-in-law, Burton and Marilyn Wetherell; his grandson, Austin Alt; and his brother in law, Darrell Rudolph.

Gene’s life was a testament to love, loyalty, and the quiet strength of a man who gave more than he ever asked for. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA, with Minister Jason Zaiger and Pastor Carla Evers officiating the service. Interment will take place following the funeral at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the Fellowship Hall of the Church.

Public visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the Alt Family. They will be designated at a later date in honor of Gene, and they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon.